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Signal Mountain council approves revised organizational chart; debate centers on MAC staffing and timing of hires
Summary
Council approved a revised organizational chart and job descriptions that create a director-level community development position tied to the Mountain Arts Community Center (MAC). Members and staff debated hiring sequencing, workload concerns raised by MAC operators (the Grahams), and budgetary implications for salaries and transition support.
The Signal Mountain Town Council voted to approve a revised organizational chart and associated job descriptions that create a director-level position intended to oversee community services including the Mountain Arts Community Center (MAC). The resolution passed after extended discussion about the scope of the director role and how the town will staff and fund a transition from the current MAC operators.
Councilmembers cited an email from the Grahams — the nonprofit group currently running the MAC — expressing concern that a single director with broad duties might leave the MAC without focused operational leadership. “They expressed ... that this is gonna be too much for that one person to take on and that potentially the MAC will not get the attention that it needs,” one councilor said reading the group’s feedback.
Town Manager Matt Justice and multiple council members recommended hiring the community development director and a MAC manager close together so the new director can help onboard and stabilize MAC operations. “I think these two positions ... have to be hired at the same time and not staggered,” Mayor Elizabeth Baker said. Council members also discussed a phased approach that would allow the town to hire the director first but ensure a short overlap so the new director can participate in MAC-manager interviews.
On funding, staff said the budget for related salaries was included in the current fiscal plan (salaries budgeted at about $92,673 for the partial year), and that approximately 50% of the director’s salary is expected to be covered by MAC-generated revenue over time. Council members urged caution about long-term obligations and emphasized the town manager’s operational role in executing hires.
The council approved the organizational changes and directed the town manager to proceed with recruitment and to coordinate transition plans with the current MAC operators; the council emphasized support for giving the MAC priority attention during the first three to six months after hires.
